All this talk of summer just makes me think of the great fishing that’s just around the corner. Actually, rephrase… I think about fishing all the time! I’m fortunate enough to live in a place where I can go somewhere to catch fish all year round. Right now you’re probably thinking what in the world this has to do with health…? Allow me to share my enthusiasm about this precious resource and show you how this activity can be beneficial to the body.
I like fishing for many different reasons. I’ll outline just a few of the main ones that keep me headed back to the local rivers ASAP!
Nice Scenery
It took me a while to appreciate it, but as I get older (and hopefully smarter and more mature), I try to make an effort to stop every once in a while to take in the view of the area I’m fishing in. On any given fishing trip, I see snow-capped mountains, enormous evergreen trees, steep canyon walls, and raging white water that crashes over giant boulders – this sound is magnificent.
And then there’s the wildlife… it’s not uncommon to see eagles, herons, beavers, and chipmunks. But for those who wish to encounter the wilder stuff, take a walk along the Chilliwack River and you may be startled by the black flash of a snake slithering through the grass! Keep your eyes open and you may see a coyote in a farm field (bad news for the farmers…) or a deer along the road. And if you’re lucky enough (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it…), you may see a black bear, which is hopefully more afraid of you than you are of it! What a rush!
Yummyness!
Every now and then I’ll keep a few fish that I catch. My preferred way of eating fish is to smoke them.
I came up with my own recipe and I could probably eat smoked salmon every day. It’s delicious, quite healthy, and I get a good feeling of satisfaction when I do a good job on a new batch of smoked fish.
It also makes for a great snack when I’m on the river or out hiking a trail for that little extra boost of energy.
Every now and again I get a treat from my friends who catch salmon in the ocean. There’s really nothing like eating ocean-caught spring salmon that’s swimming in its own oil after baking it in the oven. Hands down, the best tasting fish I’ve ever eaten in my life.
Exercise
Exercise and fishing…??? Fishing usually conjures up images of sitting in a boat and drinking, um… your favorite beverage… but not for me and my friends! We mostly fish the local rivers where we go for long walks on scenic trails to find some new holes. We’ll also hike over large fallen over trees and down steep canyon walls to get to a good spot. Come fishing with us and tell me that it isn’t a workout… Sometimes it’s tough, but usually worth it in the end when not too many people are around you and you’re catching fish!
Fishing isn’t just a hobby for me; it’s a passion in which I’m so blessed to be able to partake. We don’t always catch fish, but there’s usually a couple other positive things that happen throughout the day that keep me coming back for more. It’s fun, relaxing, frustrating, exhilarating, challenging, and fulfilling all at the same time. It’s great for the body as well as the mind. It’s just… awesome.
